OD-PATNAIK-PANDA

Panda was busy promoting own industries as MP: Patnaik
    Kendrapara (Odisha), Apr 21 (PTI) Odisha Chief
Minister Naveen Patnaik Sunday hit out at Baijayant Panda, the
BJP candidate from Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat, accusing him of
promoting his own industries during his tenure as MP.
    Addressing a poll rally at Rajnagar under the
Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency, the CM said, "I had
nominated a young and educated man (Panda) to represent people
in Parliament. I had reposed trust in him. But, he let me
down."
    Panda was elected to Lok Sabha twice from Kendrapara
in 2009 and 2014 on a BJD ticket. He was also a two-time Rajya
Sabha MP from 2000 to 2009.
    However, he fell out of favour and was suspended from
the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD last year on charges of anti-party
activities.
    He subsequently resigned from the BJD as well as from
the Lok Sabha, and joined the BJP ahead of the polls.
    The saffron party made him the national vice-president
and official spokesperson of the party. It also nominated him
from the Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat.
    "Kendrapara is the only coastal district that is
bereft of railway connectivity. I had taken up the matter with
a Union minister. But, a senior minister told me that
Kendrapara MP (Panda) wanted connectivity for his own
industries," Patnaik alleged.
    The employment of Kendrapara youths never featured in
Panda's agenda, as he was busy getting good appointment or
posts for himself, the BJD chief claimed.
    "Kendrapara's development is my responsibility," he
asserted, urging people to vote for BJD candidates. PTI CORR
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